Oh what a fascinating book, I loved every word.

Set in the mid 19th Century when Doctors (male) were a bunch of pompous, egotistical know-it-alls who tended to see and treat women as third class citizens, this novel follows a doctor's apprentice through times thick and thin in the field of midwifery. I get so angry when reading fact or fiction written about the stupidity of all the men who hold such beliefs, whether they be professionals or more ordinary folk - yes, I'm male!

Without letting any cats out of the bag, here's an example of their stupidity. At one extreme doctors set themselves way, way above mere mortals and yet, as doctors of midwifery, they agreed to delivery babies solely by touch as they were not allowed to look at what was going on, the area being covered with a blanket.

My guess is this book will turn into at least a trilogy and I shall wait impatiently for the second volume. Overall, this book is a great read; even if you don't get as angry at the characters as I did.

The Way of All Flesh is a great historical drama. I really enjoyed reading it and am glad to read that it will be part of a series so I can continue to enjoy Will and Sarah's stories.
Its a hard book to review without giving away spoilers but I loved the suspense and although I guessed the guilty party I thoroughly enjoyed the way the story panned out.

This novel is the first to be written as a joint venture between novelist Chris Brookmyre and MA student in the History of Medicine, Marisa Haetzman. The setting is 1847 Edinburgh, a town of two very different halves, where the respectable and affluent New Town lies alongside the poverty and corruption of the Old Town. Our protagonist, Will Raven, is running from some rather seedy events and debts in the poorer areas of Edinburgh by taking up a medical apprenticeship with the famous obstetrician, Dr Simpson. It is at the house of his new employer that Will meets Sarah, a housemaid with a passion for learning about botanical cures, and they investigate a series of suspicious deaths among the prostitutes and servants of Edinburgh.

The notes at the end of the novel make it clear that this is intended as the start of a series following Will and Sarah, for which I am very grateful. I loved this book for so many reasons, not least the atmospheric descriptions of the setting, the believable characters, the insight into medical advancements, the pace and plot, the twists in the story...I could go on!

What really struck me was how the two main characters, Will and Sarah, were presented so realistically. I loved the fact that both had their flaws and quirks as this made them feel very human and real. The feminist in me loves a story where women aim to break through society's limited expectations of them, so Sarah is a gem of a character, as she is tough and aspirational and seeking medical knowledge in a time when women were not expected or permitted to engage with such things. I also liked the fact that the story incorporated historical figures and events, with the real Dr Simpson being credited with the first use of chloroform to assist childbirth (an event described in the novel). The medical detail in the novel is impressively researched and fascinating, if a little gruesome at times.

I'd whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially with a medical theme - in this regard, I found the novel slightly reminiscent of the excellent Jem Flockhart series by E. S. Thomson. This is beautifully researched and written and definitely worth a read.

This has to be one of the most gothic visits to Edinburgh town
I ever did make in my life. Ooh that sounds like the start of a rhyme doesn’t it? The cover opened and what a cover it is by the way! and immediately I was sucked into a world of vice, dark deeds and a ‘Fetid labyrinth’ that was Edinburgh in 1847.

Novels like this are thrilling if done right and boy was this done right. Evoking sights, sounds and smells of a time gone by, with a little bit of history thrown in such as the “Irish invasion from Glasgow”

I loved this from the first page. A fully immersive novel with a great plot and mysterious threads throughout. It’s extremely vivid read and I hear it’s the first of many. Bring them on! Missing Raven and co already.

I will post on The BookTrail nearer the time.

When a couple of young women are found dead in similar suspicious circumstances, medical student Will Raven - apprenticed to Dr Simpson and Simpson's housemaid Sarah investigate which leads them into some grave trouble.
This is a fast-paced gritty historical fiction set in 1840's Edinburgh, when Edinburgh led the world in the field of medicine.
This is a story of the birth of anaesthesia, of power and corruption.
I loved this and I'm glad there will be more. 5*

I selected “the way of all flesh” based on the description without realising it was the pseudonym of one of my favourite authors working with his wife, Marisa Haetzman - a consultant anaesthetist. This medical crime thriller set in early Victorian edinburgh is a great new direction for Chris Brookmyre (one that is decidedly less sweary!), combining medical history with the usual pace and violent threat, plus a strong through-line addressing the restrictive position of women in society at this time (and the future possibilities).
Drawing on the established history and (presumably!) embellishing this with the central mystery, the book convincingly develops the Edinburgh of the 1840s and the clash of class and medical ethics without losing the convoluted plotting and unexpected twists. I’m looking forward to more from “Ambrose Parry”.

I have ODed a bit on fantasy lately so this was exactly what I needed. Fast paced historical medical crime set in 19th C Edinburgh – I was in love before I even met the protagonists. Raven, a young doctor in training, and Sarah, a housemaid who should be a doctor, formed an unlikely, reluctant team to discover who is killing women across the city. Both have their own agendas and character journeys in this well structured and compelling novel. I absolutely gulped this down. A brilliant book, replete with pleasing historical detail.

I have been riveted by this debut novel. Set in Edinburgh the scene is set very quickly. The characters believable and identifiable. Although a murder mystery I found the historical backdrop to the storyline interesting and informative. Especially the medical/surgical information. Gruesome at times but not gratuitous. The story moves at a pace and would highly recommend this to readers that enjoy books with more depth than some I have read recently. I shall look forward to reading the author's next novel. Will there be a series. Would love to read more about Will and Sarah